Abdominal (Stomach) Pain and Menstrual Cramps

Stomach cramps or cramping abdominal pain can be due to a vast number of causes, some easily manageable while others may be life threatening, requiring immediate medical attention. Often stomach cramps are mistaken for menstrual cramps in women and vice versa. This can hamper the diagnosis of other conditions responsible for the pain and cramping or even cause women to prevent seeking medical attention by attributing their abdominal cramps to menstrual pain.

Causes of Stomach (Abdominal) Cramps

Appendicitis

Infection of gall bladder (cholecystitis), with or without gall stones (cholelithiasis)

Bowel obstruction

Chronic constipation

Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)

Excessive gas, heartburn or indigestion

Gastritis

Ulcers

Irritable bowel syndrome

Food allergy or food poisoning

Urinary tract infection

Kidney or ureteric stones

Crohn’s disease

Ulcerative colitis

Twisted ovarian cyst

Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps

Endometriosis

Mittelschmerz or mid-cycle menstrual pain

Ectopic pregnancy

Spontaneous abortion

Uterine fibroid

Uterine cramps during pregnancy

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Abdominal muscle strain

Menstrual cramps (Dysmenorrhea)

While, in a woman, any of the above causes for abdominal cramps may be present, dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps is one of the most common and debilitating cause. Itt may occur on a regular basis and may interfere with her daily routine, depending on the severity and duration.

Types of Dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain without any underlying abnormal condition and it may start soon after menarche (first menstrual cycle).

Secondary dysmenorrhea may be due to some underlying gynecological problem (such as endometriosis, fibroid, or pelvic inflammatory disease) is associated with this type of pain and it usually develops later on. The pain may occur on its own or be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, like vaginal discharge with or without a bad vaginal odor, excessive bleeding or large clots during menses.

Causes of Menstrual Cramps

Every month, the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) is prepared for possible pregnancy by the action of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. If pregnancy fails to occur, the estrogen and progesterone levels fall, leading to break down of the endometrium, which is shed during menstruation. When the endometrium breaks down, compounds called prostaglandins are released, which cause contraction of the uterine muscles, resulting in menstrual cramps. Depending on the level of prostaglandins, cramps may be mild or severe.

Other factors such as lack of exercise, chronic constipation, and emotional stress are also associated with menstrual cramps.

Treatment of Menstrual Cramps

Adequate rest

Regular exercise, such as walking

Avoiding constipation

Heating pad or hot water bottle applied to the abdomen

Ideally, medicines should be started before the pain becomes severe, or in anticipation of the pain, it may be started one or two days before the onset of menstruation, to give best results. For mild pain, aspirin or acetaminophen can be used, but for moderate to severe pain, medicines such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, or mefenamic acid are more effective.

Low-dose oral contraceptives and insertion of IUD containing small amounts of the progesterone levonorgestrel may be effective in managing severe cramps.

Dilatation and curettage (D and C), or endometrial ablation (burning away of the endometrial lining).

Hysterectomy or surgical removal of the uterus is the most extreme measure to get relief from menstrual cramps.

For secondary dysmenorrhea, the underlying cause should be identified and treatment done accordingly.

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3 Comments

I’ve been having menstruel Cramps off and on since I got pregnant, following along with Abdomenal pain. I had an ultra sound at 11 weeks & 4days because I was concerned and worried that I may have ectopic pregnancy, turns out I donnot have ectopic pregnancy. The Doctor said it may be from my muscles stretching. To this day, I still do have menstruel cramps and abdomenal pain off and on. Should I get seen by the doctor?

Your doctor is correct. Abdominal pain and cramping is due to the growing fetus stretching the abdominal walls. These abdominal walls then have a secondary reaction of cramping or twitching with aches and pain. However if you are experiencing excruciating pain, any bleeding or abnormal discharge, consult with your doctor immediately. If ever you are concerned about any of your symptoms during pregnancy, rather consult with your gynecologist immediately. Better safe than sorry.

i was pregnant for two months then when i am about to make an ultraound, i was bled and there are blood large clot came out, so i presumed that i was miscarriage, i was bleeding for the whole week then it stopped, but i experienced a lower back pain, but not oftentimes, maybe every other day, i make some pilates exercise but i never been to the doctor, after a month, my had a monthly period. what should i do? what ultrasound do i have to make?